Tool-retainer.



l. T. SULLIVAN.

TOOL RETAINER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26. m4.

Patented May 4, 1915.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-Linda, WASHINGIUN. D. C.

niairnn sraras earner or ies; T Y

JEROME '1. SULLIVAN, 0F GOLLIS, MINNESOTA.

TOOL-RETAINER.

Application filed June 26, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JEROME T. SULLIVAN, of Collis, in the county of Traverse and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tool- Retainers; and I do hereby declare the fol-,

lowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The primary object of this invention is to provide simple, inexpensive and highly eflicient meansfor preventing tools, such as pliers, wrenches, etc., from falling from the pockets of workmen, and yet allow of their easy removal. And a further object is to provide an attachment having the advantages stated which may readily be applied to a pocket.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a view in perspective. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the device in the position for arresting the movement of a tool. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position to which the device is moved when the tool is to be withdrawn.

In carrying out my invention I provide a simple attachment which may be readily secured to the pocket of a workmans suit so that in its normal position, while allowing of the ready insertion of a tool, will prevent its withdrawal, or its accidental falling, when the workman is stooping or in an unnatural position. The device is designed to be secured to the outer wall of a pocket and comprises an inwardly-projecting portion 1 which normally bears against the inner wall of the pocket to form a stop for the tool, and a rounded portion 2 which extends some distance beyond the pocket edge. By bearing inwardly on this rounded portion the device rocks thereon, throwing the projecting portion 1 outwardly away from the inner wall of the pocket, thus permitting the tool to be readily withdrawn. The device may be secured to the pocket by any suitable means, and it may be made of wire or a flat strip of metal. According to the means shown the stop formed by the projeeting portion 1 is the inner end of a flat strip of metal curved at one end to form such stop and bent back upon itself to form Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May at, 1915.

Serial No. 847,508.

the rounded portion 2 which is designed to constitute the fulcrum or pivot of the device as a whole. The outer member 3 parallels the inner member, and between the two members the pocket is designed to fit. I have shown the two members held to the pocket by means of a nutted screw 4, but it is manifest that any other fastening means may be employed.

The operation of the device will readilyv be understood in connection with pliers. To remove the latter, the operator grasps the two handle members with his thumb and middle finger, and with the back of his index finger presses inwardly on the rounded portion of the retainer, causing the stop 1 to move outwardly from the path of the crotch of the pliers, permitting the tool to be withdrawn without diiiiculty. In inserting the tool no attention need be paid to the retainer, which latter will prevent the removal of the tool, no matter what po sition is occupied by the user, unless and until the outer projecting portion is so moved as to displace the stop.

The advantages of my invention will readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art. A retainer having the described characteristics is extremely simple and inexpensive and notliable to readily get out i of order.

I claim as my invention:

1. A tool retainer of the character described, comprising a member having an inwardly projecting portion forming a stop, 1.

and an outwardly projecting portion de signed to extend beyond the edge of a pocket, said stop being moved outwardly when the device is rocked on said outwar'dl projecting portion.

2. A tool retainer of the character de scribed, comprising a body bent back upon 3 itself to form inner and outer members, said inner member having a stop for preventing the outward movement of a tool, and a rounded portion upon which the retainer is designed to be rocked to move said stop out of the path of the tool.

3. A device of the character described comprising a plate bent back upon itself to form inner and outer members, the inner member terminating in an inwardly projeeting "portion forming a stop, a rounded specification in the presence of two subscribconnectlon between the lnner and outer mg Witnesses.

members, said members being designed to I 7 receive a pocket-member between them, and JEROME SULLIVAN 5 a fastening means engaging said members Witnesses:

and the pocket member. v V V J OHN J. SULLIVAN, In testimony whereof I havesigned this P. OBRIEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for fire cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents;

' Washington, D. Q. t 

